System and method for handling exceptional scenarios

Abstract

A control system for influencing at least one driver assistance system or comfort system associated with a host motor vehicle when the motor vehicle is in an exceptional scenario, wherein a surroundings sensor system supplies the driver assistance system or comfort system with information concerning the vehicle surroundings and/or the traffic situation the host motor vehicle is in; this driver assistance system or comfort system also influences the longitudinal and/or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle in driving or hazard situations; and for recognizing an exceptional scenario, the control system evaluates the information from the surroundings sensor system and/or a switching device to be actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle in order to at least temporarily switch off, suppress, or reduce the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, based on this evaluation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A control system for influencing at least one driver assistance system or comfort system associated with a host motor vehicle when the host motor vehicle is in an exceptional scenario, wherein
 the host motor vehicle has a surroundings sensor system, including a video camera that is configured for detecting the relevant traffic signs, for supplying the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system with information concerning the vehicle surroundings and/or the traffic situation the host motor vehicle is in; 
 the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system is configured for also influencing the longitudinal and/or transverse guidance of the host motor vehicle in driving or hazard situations; 
 for recognizing an exceptional scenario, the control system is configured for evaluating the information, which comprises traffic signs detected with the video camera, from the surroundings sensor system and a switching device to be actuated by the driver of the host motor vehicle in order to at least temporarily suppress or reduce the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, based on this evaluation at least to the extent that this influences the longitudinal or transverse guidance of the host motor vehicle, by signaling to steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration devices of the host motor vehicle. 
 
     
     
       2. The control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functionality of all driver assistance systems or comfort systems associated with the host motor vehicle is to be at least temporarily suppressed or reduced by means of the switching device to be actuated by the driver of the host motor vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system is to be suppressed or reduced, at least to the extent that this influences the longitudinal or transverse guidance of the host motor vehicle, by signaling to steering, acceleration, and or deceleration devices of the host motor vehicle. 
     
     
       4. The control system according to  claim 1 , wherein for recognizing an exceptional scenario, the control system evaluates and checks the plausibility of the information from the surroundings sensor system, independently of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, in order to at least temporarily suppress or reduce the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, based on this evaluation and plausibility checking. 
     
     
       5. The control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system obtains more information from the surroundings sensor system than any of the individual driver assistance systems or comfort systems in order to check the plausibility of the presence of an exceptional scenario, based on this information. 
     
     
       6. The control system according to  claim 1 , wherein the motor vehicle is in an exceptional situation when the motor vehicle is in an automatic car wash stall, on a ferry, on a motorail, in a confined parking garage, and/or to be towed. 
     
     
       7. A control method for influencing at least one driver assistance system or comfort system associated with a host motor vehicle when the host motor vehicle is in an exceptional scenario, wherein
 a surroundings sensor system, including a video camera that is configured for detecting the relevant traffic signs, supplies the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system with information concerning the vehicle surroundings and/or the traffic situation the host motor vehicle is in; 
 the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system also influences the longitudinal and/or transverse guidance of the host motor vehicle in driving or hazard situations; and 
 for recognizing an exceptional scenario, a control system evaluates the information, which comprises traffic signs detected with the video camera, from the surroundings sensor system and a switching device to be actuated by the driver of the host motor vehicle in order to at least temporarily suppress or reduce the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, based on this evaluation at least to the extent that this influences the longitudinal or transverse guidance of the host motor vehicle, by signaling to steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration devices of the host motor vehicle. 
 
     
     
       8. The control method according to  claim 7 , wherein the motor vehicle is in an exceptional situation when the motor vehicle is in an automatic car wash stall, on a ferry, on a motorail, in a confined parking garage, and/or to be towed. 
     
     
       9. A system for handling exceptional scenarios in a motor vehicle, comprising:
 at least one driver assistance system or comfort system associated with the motor vehicle, the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system influencing the longitudinal and/or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle in driving or hazard situations; 
 a surroundings sensor system associated with the motor vehicle, the surroundings sensor system supplying the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system with information concerning the vehicle surroundings and/or the traffic situation the motor vehicle is in, the surroundings sensor system including a video camera that detects relevant traffic signs; and 
 a control system that evaluates the information from the surroundings sensor system and a switching device to be actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle to recognize when the motor vehicle is in an exceptional scenario, the information from the surroundings sensor including traffic signs detected with the video camera, the control system at least temporarily suppressing or reducing the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system once an exceptional scenario is recognized based on the evaluation, the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system being suppressed or reduced, at least to the extent that this influences the longitudinal or transverse guidance of the motor vehicle, by signaling to steering, acceleration, and/or deceleration devices of the motor vehicle. 
 
     
     
       10. The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the functionality of all driver assistance systems or comfort systems associated with the motor vehicle is to be at least temporarily suppressed or reduced by means of the switching device to be actuated by the driver of the motor vehicle. 
     
     
       11. The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the control system evaluates and checks the plausibility of the information from the surroundings sensor system, independently of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system, to recognize when the motor vehicle is in an exceptional scenario, the control system at least temporarily suppressing or reducing the functionality of the at least one driver assistance system or comfort system once an exceptional scenario is recognized based on the evaluation and plausibility checking. 
     
     
       12. The control system according to  claim 9 , wherein the control system obtains more information from the surroundings sensor system than any of the individual driver assistance systems or comfort systems, the control system checking the plausibility of the presence of an exceptional scenario based on the obtained information.